Ten Things You Should Know About Pope Benedict XVI

He traveled the world.

Pope Benedict XVI visited at least 20 countries during his six-year tenure. He is the oldest pope to travel outside Europe to Africa, Asia (including the Middle East), Australia, or the Americas.

The Vatican has several vehicles known as popemobiles, which are used to make him visible in crowds and protect him from possible attack. Until 1978, the pope was carried through crowds in the sedia gestatoria that was carried by attendants on their shoulders.